What's in the king's royal regalia

 

This was my first time witnessing a coronation. If you were paying attention to the words of the liturgy as the clergy presented each piece of royal regalia to King Charles, you might have been in for a surprise. Behind all the pageantry, the Monarch's royal regalia are soaked with rich religious and spiritual meaning. Prior to this, I had no idea of the spiritual purpose in each piece of the royal regalia; I was not even aware of what regalia were included.

THE CROWN JEWELS (pics here)

During the coronation ceremony, Charles III was clothed with the Colbium Sindonis, a sleeveless linen tunic symbolizing purity and simplicity. Adorned over this was the Supersonica - an embroidered gold coat worn over the linen tunic to symbolize that the King has been consecrated for the service of God.

Following his anointing (a holy act), he took his seat on the Coronation Chair, and one-by-one each crown jewel was brought to him for his acknowledgement. Each item had a noble significance in his ministry to God. As a Christian, I was pleasantly surprised as I listened to the liturgy (here).

The Spurs: symbols of honour and courage for the creation of knights for the defense of king and crown. It's a reminder to be a brave advocate for those in need.

The Sword of Offering or Jewelled Sword symbolizes the word of God or sword of the Spirit. The power of the sword is used for the protection of good. It is a symbolic reminder to defend through advocacy, justice and mercy.

Bracelets (Armills) of sincerity and wisdom symbolizes God’s protection.

The Royal Robe and Stole symbolizes the robe of righteousness and the garment of salvation.

The Orb set under the cross symbolizes the kingdoms of this world has become the kingdoms of our Lord and Christ.

The Ring is a sign of the covenant between God and king, and king and people. It is a symbol of promise and commitment. It signifies an everlasting unbreakable bond. The King has a duty to God, and to the people. It also serves to remind the king of God’s unfailing love for him and the people.

The Glove is a demonstration of the Sovereign as advocate and challenger for the protection and honour of the people. A gloved hand reminds the chosen sovereign to hold power and authority with gentleness, grace and wisdom, while trusting not in one’s own power but in the mercy of God.

The Royal Sceptre with cross represents the ensign of kingly power and justice. It reminds the Sovereign that one’s temporal power and authority are to be wisely exercised for good governance.

The Rod of Equity and Mercy (Sceptre with Dove) symbolizes the Sovereign’s spiritual role. The dove with outspread wings represents the Holy Spirit and the Monarch’s pastoral care for the people; it is symbolic of covenant and peace.

The Crown surmounted with a cross, signifies kingly dignity and reminds us of God’s loving and costly sacrifice of God’s Son for us. It visibly symbolizes the anointed one, before God, is to serve the nation. It represents the King’s vocation before God, and is a reminder of the promises and vows he has made to the people.

The oil that was used to anoint the king was held in the ampulla (a bird-like item).

The titles of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III are more than Her/His Royal Highness. Royalty and nobility actually calls for saintly motives and spiritual/religious leadership because the British Sovereign is the secular Defender of the Christian Faith. The Monarch is the regent, or earthly representative, of the Sovereign King of heaven. The heavenly Sovereign is where our source of rights and freedoms flow from (blogpost here).

King Charles Coronation - a holy act and joyous celebration

 

The Coronation of King Charles was truly a ceremony our generation will not forget. It was filled with pomp and pageantry, and also with religious and spiritual meaning. Our generation lacks knowledge of our Christian heritage; thus it does us well to be reminded of the religious and spiritual meaning behind a Sovereign’s coronation.

In Westminster Abbey, music filled the atmosphere with praise and worship of God to emblazen this majestic occasion forward. The musicians were set in the background, and the choir in the foreground. The priests' and clergy's central role in the coronation ceremony pointed to a religious ceremony, which helps remind the nations of Christianity at Sovereign's core. The clergy's role in the actual coronation was clearly a biblical enactment of the Old Testament's coronation of Israel's King Solomon. (Read liturgy here)

The act of anointing King Charles was absolutely significant. It was a holy act central in the coronation ceremony that is unclear to most people. This was a representation of a holy act in the Old Testament under which King Solomon was anointed by the priest Zadok. It was interesting to see King Charles had his stately robes removed in order to be anointed with holy oil by the priest. Screens shielded the King’s anointing from public view in order to make this a private moment. It was fitting to have the hymn “Zadok the Priest” (by Handel).

After the Coronation, the procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace was also phenomenal…and the execution--truly perfection. The crowds were filled with excitement and pride.

The parade arrived at the lawn of Buckingham where 4,000 troops gave a royal salute to the King and Queen. The Sergeant Major gave the orders to remove headdress, and together, the troops rang out three loud resounding cheers while lifting their headdress: “Hip hip horray! Hip hip horray!”

Whether as civilian or military, one would have been moved by this act of unity and loyalty. It expressed a verbal and visible sign of unity, strength and loyalty to the newly coronated King. I watched this a second time on the screen and couldn't help but be moved again... almost to tears. Three cheers to the Crown: "Hip hip horray!"

As the crowds moved toward the front of the palace, the King and Queen stepped out onto the balcony. King Charles and Queen Camilla and the people were able to connect. This was a truly significant moment. It was important for the Royal family to acknowledge and connect with the people. You could clearly see in the faces of the people as men, women and children were filled with excitement. This for me was also very moving.

As the people walked toward Buckingham Palace, there was a sense of excitement in the air. The people came to celebrate their coronated King. Yes the mall packed with people was truly a sight in itself to behold. This represented to me, an acceptance of the King and Queen of England. They expressed joy and pride in their new king.

The Royal Air Force approached Buckingham Palace with six sets of helicopter fly-bys, followed by jets with streaks of red, white and blue. Stupendously executed by the Royal Air Force.

All in all...truly a fantastic day for Britain and the British Commonwealth. The people were happy. The nation was filled with pride and joy. The Commonwealth has now been crowned with a new regent of the Sovereign.

What more is there to say? Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!